Women's Basketball

Division II Women's Basketball Notebook

HUNGRY LIKE A WOLF: Alaska Anchorage kept up its winning ways with a pair of come-from-behind wins last week as the second-ranked Seawolves set a school record with 16 consecutive victories.

Senior guard Jackie Thiel was instrumental in the two wins, including an assist on the game-winning three-pointer in a 53-49 defeat of No. 14 Seattle Pacific. The native of Plainview, Texas, combined for 16 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in the two games as she earned her first Great Northwest Athletic Conference Player of the Week award this season.

VIKING VICTORIES: Augustana’s Megan Doyle played a key role in the Vikings’ two overtime wins last week, including an upset of then-No. 3 Minnesota State, as she became the first player in school history to be named Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Women’s Basketball Player of the Week.

The sophomore guard contributed 14 points, and a career-high nine rebounds and seven assists, as the Vikings started the week with a 67-60 overtime victory versus Southwest Minnesota State.

The native of Alexandria, S.D., followed it up with a team-high 29 points as Augustana handed the Mavericks their first loss of the season. Doyle shot 66.7 percent from the floor and grabbed five rebounds in the upset.

The Vikings improved their standing in the league to third, and have won five straight contests. They are participating in their first season as a member of the NSIC.

HEADING WEST: Grand Canyon University stretched its winning streak to seven with three victories last week, including two Pacific West Conference wins as the Antelopes took over sole possession of first place in the league standings. The Antelopes began the week with a defeat of Hawaii-Hilo, before downing Dixie State twice last weekend. GCU handed Dixie its first loss in league play in the first contest.

Junior guard Rosalyn Nelson averaged 20.3 points, 8.0 assists and 5.0 steals per game to garner her third PacWest Player of the Week nod.

Nelson, native of Phoenix, Ariz., ranks second in the PacWest with a 15.8 scoring average, and tops the league with 5.12 assists and 3.94 steals per game.

KNOCKING ‘EM OFF: Quincy University knocked off two nationally-ranked Great Lakes Valley Conference foes last week, including a 66-57 stunner of then-No. 1 Northern Kentucky on Jan. 24.

Senior guard Jessica Keller sparked the Lady Hawks with 22.5 points and 5.5 rebounds in wins over then-No. 22 Indianapolis and NKU, highlighted by a game-high 26 points versus the Norse. The native of Belle, Mo., received GLVC Player of the Week recognition for her performance. Keller currently leads the GLVC with a 19.2 scoring average and 4.11 steals per game.

Quincy has won six straight games, and sits on top of the GLVC West Division standings with an 8-1 league mark.

NOTABLE: No. 6 Fort Lewis cruised to a 77-58 win over Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference foe Western New Mexico last weekend as the Skyhawks remained perfect in league play at 9-0. Center Alison Rosel led the charge with 22 points and 12 rebounds as Fort Lewis extended its winning streak to 13 games … Hillsdale’s Katie Cezat set two more records during a 2-0 week for the Chargers. The senior forward surpassed the school’s career blocked shots record, becoming the first player in program history with 100 blocked shots in her career with three blocks against Ashland on Jan. 22. Cezat then improved on her own school mark with 26 rebounds in a win over Tiffin two days later. The native of Plymouth, Mich., was named Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference South Division Player of the Week for her accomplishments.